Bye Good 2011

People say the older you get, the faster time goes. It seems to be the truth looking back on 2011 which flew by faster than any other year I can remember. New Years Eve (and birthdays) is the time you get to start over with a clean slate... who doesn't love that!?! 'Even' numbered years tend to be more lucky for me...so come on 2012....I hope good things are to come...
 I'm looking forward to celebrating tonight with close friends to start off the new year in a fun and fresh direction. The party we have planned is going to be crazy fun - can't wait to post the pictures!

Have fun wherever you celebrate tonight and rock out whatever festive outfit you decided to wear!
Happy New Year!!

Old Charm & New Steps

 My grandmother handed me down a few of her old vintage charm necklaces last night, followed by the arrival of my last Christmas present, which were delivered from Steve Madden to my front porch this morning...just in time for me to pack them in my suitcase and head back to California later today. First and foremost, I LOVE these chain necklaces...one was a heart locket my grandfather gave my grandma when they were only 16 years old....another, a California Pebble Beach charm...how fitting for me :) On the 'new' side...I like the simplicity of these ankle booties and the low comfortable heel I can wear day or night. Just a few more things to pack that I hope don't push my suitcase over 50lbs!!

Wide Open Spaces

These country roads remind me of childhood and weekend trips on the outskirts of Dallas to our family farm house, built by my great-grandparents. It was there I got a break from my city upbringing and learned to ride horses, hook a fishing line, shoot cans with a shotgun and even drive a pickup truck!
It's strange that no matter how many years go by, certain places trigger memories you forgot were even there. Driving under the bridge I haven't seen in over 5 years (it used to be part of railroads tracks) was the first strong reminder for me...I pictured climbing on top of it to 'explore' as a kid. The pastures and the long cedar tree lined driveway leading up to the house are still the same :)

(jeans-genetic denim; zip sweater-Zara; leather jacket-arc&co; boots-mossimo; scarf-Missoni)

Here is a picture of 'the farm' from last year when it snowed....we didn't get so lucky this year :(

Bundled Up

I've appreciated my faux fur coat much more these last few days in Dallas. In 35 degree weather it's more of a necessity vs. being in LA where we only hope for cold enough temperatures to bring them out of the closet! I had also forgotten about this sheer maxi dress that I loved wearing over the Summer...problem solved...added some tights with a sweater and now it's a Winter dress too :) I love layering and turning favorite pieces into something you can wear year-round.

 (sheer dress-american apparel; sweater- cop.copine; faux fur coat-vintage; boots-mossimo)

Beauty Essentials

Every year I am happy to be restocked at Christmas with a few of my favorite beauty/bath products...Bumble & Bumble shampoo/conditioner, Laura Mercier almond milk bath set, a clean new set of makeup brushes, and enough Lancome lip gloss to last me awhile :) Thank you Santa!

What were your favorite products this year...anything I need to add to my traditional supply?

Peace & Love

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas!

I'm Coming Home

Leaving California to Texas today for Christmas...a whole week back home! I'm always anxious to see my family and old friends....I only make it home about once a year these days so I try to cram everything and everyone in that I can. It would be nice to just relax on my 'vacation', but there are just too many faces I'll want to see. The hectic pace is part of the fun. 

I'm always sad to leave TX after I'm home for the holidays...the familiarity 'fits me' in many ways, and there are people I miss deeply there. But, every year I come back to California, I still smile as the plane descends looking over the ocean and know that this is home now too.

Safe travels to wherever 'home' is this holiday weekend, ya'll!

 

 

Just sayin'...I'll be mellowing out to "Yellow Brick Road" on my Ipod flying home..Angus & Julia Stone's  album Down The Way is SO good. It has 20+ songs on it, and they're ALL good.

"Draw Your Swords" is another favorite. Listen and enjoy!

Las Familias

Every year my office (FIDM Career Center) partners with Student Activities to bring some holiday fun to the children of Las Familias del Pueblo..."a non-profit community center serving garment workers and their children in the Los Angeles Fashion District.  At Las Familias, children participate in after school programs and receive assistance with homework". The neighborhood of this organization is on the rougher side of downtown LA. The school has a tall wooden fence around the back entrance which opens to an outdoor playground, sheltering the kids with a safe place to play  from the outside.

The kids of course still love arts and crafts projects like coloring Christmas pictures, and making Christmas cards. But, we discovered from our experience last year that having a finger-nail painting & face painting 'station' was also very popular amongst the children...so we stepped it up this time with extra colors :) Then there is the super messy/fun cookie decorating...followed by cupcakes one of our co-workers family members donated who works in the catering business. Talk about a sugar high...these kids were bouncing off the walls..bet their parents loved us when they arrived to pick them up! To end the afternoon with more excitement (added to the sugar overload)... "Santa" arrived and took a photo with each child, along with giving a special gift. The look on their adorable faces when they receive a present (or even just get their face painted) is priceless. The staff here at FIDM looks forward to this day each year just about as much as the kids do.